Church HealedНамуна

LOVE GOD AND LOVE PEOPLE

I remember one day, I sat in my closet, just wanting to hide. I was feeling so much shame for the toxic leader I had become. You see, I was so hurt that I began to hurt others too. I was exhausted, tired, overwhelmed, and burnt out by my choices and the toxic leadership. I remember sitting there crying and asking God, “Lord, please let me see the things You hate and help me love the things You love.” I was so tired of hurting others and allowing pain to control my relationship with the Lord. At that moment I just wanted my heart to draw closer to Him. This was the moment I realized that my motives, my thoughts, and my heart were so far away from God.

The Holy Spirit led me to read Matthew 22:36–40. It was at that moment I felt His overwhelming love and conviction. I had not been loving God and His people. In order for us to operate from a place of healing we have to remember the two most important commands to Love God and Love People.

To move from hurt to healed we have to remember the ultimate example Jesus gave us. He loved God with all His heart, mind, and soul. He loved people despite how they treated Him, and what they did, and said about Him.

Love God

To love God is to seek Him first, to have Him at the center of everything we do. Loving God means to remain in Him despite suffering, trials, and tribulations. To love God is to recognize that everything and anything we do or go through is to bring Him glory and honor. To know and recognize that He is a good and faithful Father. To love God is to love what He loves and hate what He hates.

Love People

Friend, the truth is it is impossible to remain in the vine without loving one another. It is impossible to remain in the vine without forgiving one another, without serving one another, without believing in one another. And it’s impossible to please God without loving one another.

Jesus came to teach us how to love one another.

Jesus . . .

• believed in people
• had compassion for the broken
• fed the hungry
• set the captive free
• healed the sick
• forgave without keeping a record of wrongs
• befriended people even though He knew they would betray Him
• loved unconditionally

Prayer

Dear heavenly Father,

I thank You for the reminder that it is all about loving You and loving people. Help me remember every single day that the greatest command is to love You Lord and to love others! Lord, help me see your people how You see them. Lord, help me love them how You love them. I ask that You open the door and the right opportunity to have a conversation with people to resolve the issues and find forgiveness. Show me the areas you want to sharpen in me through others. In Jesus name, amen.

Journal Prompts

• What does loving God with my whole heart, soul, and mind look like in my life?
• Does the way that I treat or think about people honor God?